Israeli Medical Professionals Condemn Gaza Paramedic Killings and Call to End the War

Watan-Following the letter from Israeli Air Force pilots and crew, hundreds of medical personnel in Israel are now calling for an end to the war on Gaza and protesting the execution of Palestinian medics in what has become known as the “Paramedics Massacre” in Rafah.

In a paid statement published Friday in Hebrew-language media under the title “A Letter of Protest Against the Killing of Medical Teams in Gaza,” hundreds of doctors, medical staff, and healthcare workers recalled the events of March 23, when the Israeli army killed 15 people—paramedics who were in ambulances delivering medical aid in the Rafah area.

The letter, which comes notably late after the massacre was revealed—and a day after the pilots’ letter from reservists and retirees—reads:“We, the undersigned Israeli medical professionals, are committed to the medical ethical code and believe in the sanctity of life—of every human being—as a supreme value, in times of peace and war alike. We are deeply shaken by this incident. The killing of medical team members while they were carrying out their duties constitutes a blatant violation of international laws of war. This is an immoral and inhumane act, and it is no coincidence that it has sparked wide reactions both in Israel and around the world.”

The letter continues:“The initial response by the army was tainted with contradictions and a lack of scrutiny, creating the impression of a reckless policy of quickly pulling the trigger—even at the cost of harming medical and rescue teams—against the backdrop of an ongoing war that has caused severe physical and psychological damage in horrifying ways. Many healthcare infrastructures have been destroyed or damaged, a large number of medical personnel have been injured or arrested, and Gaza’s health system has been operating for months at less than minimum capacity, making it impossible to provide even the most basic medical care to civilians.”

The petition stresses that such an event cannot go without a thorough and credible investigation and tangible outcomes:“We will not stand idly by as medical personnel are harmed so broadly and indiscriminately during war. We will not remain silent in the face of suspicions that medics were killed after being detained alive. We will not remain silent in the face of this moral collapse.”

The signatories strongly condemn the targeting of medics and paramedics, stating:“We call on the heads of Israel’s medical and academic health institutions to publicly condemn the harm done to medical staff. Above all, we call on the political and security leadership to act immediately to end the war and the bloodshed, and to tirelessly pursue the return of all hostages still held in Gaza.”

The letter also includes signatures from Palestinian citizens of Israel, including doctors, female physicians, and health researchers.

In a related development, and in addition to the pilots’ letter, 150 former officers in the Israeli Navy signed a statement on Thursday calling for an end to the war in Gaza. The officers stated:

“Resuming the fighting hinders the release of hostages, endangers soldiers, and causes harm to innocent civilians.”

They also noted:“Instead of taking concrete steps to advance a hostage deal, we are witnessing government conduct that destabilizes the foundations of the state, undermines public trust, and raises serious concerns that security decisions are being driven by illegitimate considerations.”

They concluded:“At the same time, the government is promoting discriminatory policies—sector-specific budgets, and blanket exemptions from military service” (referring to ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim, who refuse both military service and work, believing their sole role is to study Torah and uphold Judaism). “Citizens who do serve feel betrayed.”